Agricultural News

Fires in Northwest Oklahoma Now 74 Percent Contained

Wed, 15 Mar 2017 09:21:26 CDT

The latest Northwest Oklahoma Fire Complex Update has been released- showing that the fires in northwest Oklahoma are considered 74 percent contained. The full report, including a look back at the start of the fire on March 6 follows:

High winds, warm temperatures and dry conditions on Monday, March 6 combined to start fires in Beaver, Harper, and Woodward Counties in Northwestern Oklahoma. The firestorm of four large wildfires make up the Northwest Oklahoma Complex, which includes the Starbuck (burned in both Kansas and Oklahoma), 283, Selman, and Beaver fires. These fires burned rapidly through rural areas of Oklahoma and Kansas. There have been two confirmed civilian fatalities to date, one in Oklahoma and one in Kansas. Local, county and state firefighters joined forces to stop the fires. Vast acreage of rangeland was destroyed, killing thousands of livestock, and destroying at least eight Oklahoma homes. Kansas officials confirmed the loss of 34 homes. In Clark County, Kansas, six additional homes were damaged, 108 outbuildings were lost with an additional 13 damaged. The Kansas portion of Starbuck Fire, which also includes Meade and Comanche counties, is 95 percent contained. The total mileage of containment for all the fires within the NW Oklahoma Complex, including both Kansas and Oklahoma, is 465 miles.

Yesterday, minimal smoldering was observed inside the fires, and firefighters made good progress to contain them. Incident personnel assisted the Buffalo Volunteer Fire Department with areas of burning debris on the 283 fire.

Today's Actions

Firefighters will continue to patrol all four fires, mop-up hot spots, and improve containment lines. Crews will be on-call to respond to new fires and to support local fire suppression agencies, as needed.

NW Oklahoma Fire Complex Total Acres: 782,333 Containment: 74 percent

Starbuck Fire, 2 miles west of Gate, Oklahoma

Firefighters continue to make good progress on this fire. Minimal heat is being observed. Today, firefighters will construct fireline, patrol, and cold trail 2 chains (132 feet) along the perimeter.

Size: 662,687 acres(Approx. 472,000 acres or 71% of the Starbuck fire is in Kansas)

Start Date: March 6, 2017

Beaver Fire, between the towns of Beaver and Elmwood along Highway 273

Containment lines are complete, and firefighters will patrol the fire today.

Size: 2,962 acres Start Date: March 6, 2017

283 Fire, 1 mile west of Laverne, Oklahoma

Today, firefighters will work south of U.S. Highway 64 east and west of Gate, OK patrolling the perimeter and constructing fireline.

Size: 69,395 acres Start Date: March 6, 2017

Selman Fire, 10 miles east of Fort Supply, Oklahoma

Today firefighters will continue to construct fireline on the far west and southeast sides of the fire north of Road EW 28 and west of OK Highway 50.

Size: 47,289 acres Start Date: March 6, 2017

Incident Resources

One hotshot crew, 30 engines, 19 bulldozers, air support from helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft: total 211 personnel

Weather and Fire Behavior

Highs today near 60 degrees with 33 percent relative humidity and partly cloudy skies. Winds will be blowing out of the south/southeast 10 to 15 mph, with gusts up to 25 mph in the afternoon. No rain expected.